Van Dijk has emerged as one of the top defenders in the Premier League since he switched Celtic for Southampton in the summer of 2015.

Premier League leaders Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Holland international as they look to replace John Terry, who will leave the club at the end of the season.

While Liverpool, who have a history of poaching Southampton's best players in recent seasons, are keen on Van Dijk having relied on midfielder Lucas Leiva at centre-back this term.

And Rodgers, a former coach and manager at Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, reckons Van Dijk is ready for a move to a top club.

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Virgil van Dijk has emerged as one of the Premier League's top centre-backs

When asked if 25-year-old is good enough for one of the Premier League’s elite sides, Rodgers told talkSPORT: “Well he certainly looks it.

“The problem sometimes for some of the guys playing up here for Celtic is that people were thinking that they were only playing in Scottish football, which is of course a less competitive league than the Premier League.

“But if you’re doing it at a European level for Celtic and you’re playing under the pressure for Celtic, then you have to have something about you.

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Brendan Rodgers says Virgil van Dijk is ready for big move

Stars who have played in both Scottish and English Premier Leagues

Sun, November 26, 2017

Express Sport takes a look at some of the greatest players who have appeared in both the English and Scottish top flights in recent times

Express Sport takes a look at some of the greatest players who have played in both the Premier League and the Scottish Premier League (now Scottish Premiership)

“I speak to the guys at the club who have worked with Virgil van Dijk, and he’s always had those qualities. It’s just up to someone to take that punt on him.

“He’s 6ft 4in, he’s fast, he can play, he’s an international footballer, he’s good in the air – he’s got everything.

"You saw that in a player like Wanyama when he was up here as well, you know they’re a top player.

“Virgil is at a great club, let’s not forget, Southampton is a fantastic club, and if he left there then of course it would have to be what you would consider to be one of the top four or top six clubs.”